Thursday 3 October 2019

There Is A Battle Brewing In The Bundesliga

As the Bundesliga enters October, there is one hell of a battle brewing at the top of the table with just 2 points separating the top 8 in the Bundesliga. An unbelievable start to the new season with teams pushing each other all way and it certainly sets us up for an exciting season.

Bayern Munich leads the way after finally going top after beating basement side Paderborn. Niko Kovac's remain unbeaten after winning 4 of their 6 games. They have flattered to deceive at times this season but the Bavarians are slowly finding their groove. Robert Lewandowski, as usual, is delivering the goods while Philippe Coutinho has settled into German football very well. The Bavarians are top but amazingly are only two points clear of the 8th placed side in the league.

Bayern Munich leads the way but there are seven other sides hot on their heels including a cluster of sides locked on 13 points. RB Leipzig, Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Monchengladbach, and Freiburg are all a single point behind Bayern Munich. It was a terrific start for Leipzig and new manager Julen Naglesmann after DieRotenBull won their opening three games but have dipped off since winning just once in their last three games. They lost their most recent much to improving Schalke. Despite that loss, Leipzig remain confident and are playing some excellent football so far this campaign. Speaking of Schalke, its been somewhat of a resurgence so far under David Wagner. It was a very slow start for Schalke with the club collecting just one point from their opening two games but since then, Wagner's side have charged up the table winning their last 4 league games and looking a real threat. The fans are delighted with the team with youngsters Amine Harit and Sout Serdar catching the eye so far this season. Another new manager enjoying a good start is Marco Rose at Borussia Monchengladbach. 13 points from 6 games is a very good start for the Gladbach as they charge towards the Champions League places. Gladbach are also in good form having won their last three games and are playing some enterprising, exciting football which Rose prides himself on.

Peter Bosz is continuing his good work from last season at Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen are motoring nicely having won their last two games and have responded well from that thumping defeat Borussia Dortmund gave them. Bosz's intricate, quick passing play is continuing to cause teams problems and they will be a threat to reigning champions Bayern Munich. The surprise package of the season so far has to be Freiburg who are enjoying a sensational start to the season. The Black Forest side are 3rd in the table after an amazing run of form. 4 wins from 6 games and goals flying into the net has excited the Freiburg fans. The formidable partnership of Luca Waldschmidt and Nils Petersen is proving a very good one with 5 goals between so far but Jonathan Schmid has found new life after arriving from Augsburg. Freiburg has quietly gone about their business and they will continue to cause a few more surprises but keeping up with the big boys will be a difficult task for Christian Streich's team but take nothing away from them. they have been a breath of fresh air so far this campaign.

Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg complete the top 8 with both clubs just two points off the leaders. Its been a mixed start for Lucien Favre's Dortmund with the club notching 12 points from their 6 matches. Killing matches are proving the issue for Dortmund so far this season as well as leaking sloppy goals. Dortmund have drawn their last two games and overall have won just once in their last 4 games. Despite their sluggish form, Dortmund are still catching the eye and playing some excellent football. They will be a huge threat but their inconsistent form has to improve and their defence has to tighten up against the smaller Bundesliga sides. Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner is enjoying a strong start in the Wolfsburg with the Wolves unbeaten so far this season. The Wolves have caught the eye this season and have quietly gone about their business under their new manager. They are unbeaten winning three and drawing three so far this campaign. The back three setup has proved successful for the Wolves and they are catching teams out and are motoring towards the top 4.

The Bundesliga is proving a very difficult league to call and with 2 points separating the top 8, it is getting even more unpredictable but, on the flip side it is proving exciting for fans and with some big fixtures to come in October, it will be fascinating to see if the league is still this tight by the start of November.